MBABANE – Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini held talks with the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Eswatini, Andreas Peschke, at the Private and Cabinet Office on Wednesday, focusing on deepening cooperation in education, skills development and economic growth.
The meeting formed part of ongoing diplomatic engagements between Eswatini and Germany, aimed at building stronger bilateral ties and expanding areas of collaboration.
Central to their discussions was the advancement of the country’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector. Prime Minister Dlamini expressed appreciation for Germany’s historic role in shaping Eswatini’s technical education system through the establishment of the Gwamile Vocational and Commercial Training Institute (VOCTIM), a project implemented with support from the German Technical Cooperation Agency (GTZ).
He proposed a renewed partnership to modernise the TVET curriculum and make it more responsive to industry needs. Among the new areas of focus discussed was the introduction of specialised modules such as mechanical engineering training on German automotive technologies, designed to equip young people with skills relevant to the evolving job market.
Discussions also touched on broader economic themes, including Eswatini’s efforts to expand energy generation and strengthen its industrial base. The Prime Minister noted that increasing the country’s energy capacity was key to supporting industrialisation and attracting both local and foreign investment.
Another key topic was the potential for German support in enhancing the Eswatini Stock Exchange to boost financial inclusion and mobilise capital for development projects.
Ambassador Peschke welcomed the discussions and reaffirmed Germany’s willingness to deepen cooperation with Eswatini. He commended the work of the German Cooperative and Raiffeisen Confederation (DGRV), which recently established a local office to advance cooperative development and financial inclusion.
Both leaders shared optimism about the future of Eswatini–Germany relations, pledging continued collaboration in sustainable development, skills training and economic transformation.
Leave a comment